"Excuse me, might you happen to sell any dark spectacle?" Sucura inquired serenely at the counter.
The Dark Spectacle, though ostensibly a simple item, was of immeasurable value when confronting the perilous snares of the Fleshweaver Spider.
Upon donning these enigmatic spectacles, one could discern the faint, ethereal mana threads woven by these malevolent creatures.
Unwitting travelers who inadvertently trod upon or traversed these threads would trigger a sinister alarm, frequently culminating in a macabre and untimely end - [Death Ending].
Fleshweaver Spiders were veritably unique and horrifying entities. Their visage was nigh impossible to recollect, as though their very existence was an abomination that defied the confines of memory.
These nightmarish beings were notorious for their insidious abilities, encompassing the power to manipulate a victim's mana and grotesquely rearrange their internal organs.
In a spine chilling instant, a person's hand could transmute into their foot, and vice versa, all the while maintaining a disquieting functionality.
The individual's head could be twisted in an unnatural manner, yet remain operational for a few agonizing hours before succumbing to an inevitable death.
Their eyes could be mercilessly gouged out, only to be relocated to disparate parts of the body.
To the Fleshweaver Spiders, humans were naught but mere playthings and a source of nourishment.
"Indeed, we do," the gentleman replied, his smile radiating warmth and sophistication.
"How much would that cost?" inquired Sucura.
"80 silver dai coins," the man informed him, maintaining a professional demeanor.
"I'd like to purchase the dark spectacle. Additionally, do you have any reasonably priced earrings and necklaces that aid in mana regeneration?" Sucura asked, musing to himself, 'I had planned to acquire these at the Witch's Hut, but my gold coins have been depleted. My financial situation is becoming rather precarious.'
The man offered a subtle nod and affirmed, "We certainly do," as he bent down to retrieve something from the concealed storage beneath the counter.
Rising to his feet, he held a tray and slid the glass display case open, unveiling an assortment of vividly hued earrings.
Sucura took a moment to deliberate his options before selecting a pair of obsidian earrings.
The man continued, "We do have an affordable necklace that assists in mana regeneration. However, it possesses an additional feature: when infused with a small amount of mana and intent, it can explode."
Sucura regarded the man with a poised, professional smile, while inwardly lampooning, 'Does he presume I'm some sort of saboteur? There's a risk I might inadvertently trigger it while merely strolling about.'
The man, perceiving Sucura's apprehension, presented a simple silver necklace and reassured him, "Don't worry, it won't activate inadvertently, and it is accompanied by legal documentation."
Sucura's eyebrow quivered involuntarily as he internally sighed, 'I suppose I shouldn't be disconcerted, given that I'm in another world and beggars cannot afford to be fastidious, can they?'
***
Night in the Kalinski Manor, Sucura's Room
As Sucura settled into his chair at the desk, he turned the final page of the tome containing the [Mind Blank] spell.
The last remnants of mana within the book flowed seamlessly through his veins, permeating his body and mind. Gradually, the book dissolved into nothingness before his eyes.
Lost in thought, Sucura mused, 'So that's how skill books work. Reading their contents is like solving a complex puzzle, and somehow, the book guides you along the way, providing clarity. I must admit, it's quite fascinating.'
Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Sucura sighed, 'I'm exhausted. Perhaps I can tackle two or three common spells tomorrow.'
His thoughts then shifted, 'I didn't manage to extract any information from Mathilda about the Accursed Forest or anything else. I was cautious, of course, but I had a feeling she wouldn't be forthcoming with any useful details.'
Suddenly, a shrill, piercing noise assaulted Sucura's ears.
He groaned in agony, swiftly pressing both hands against his ears in a futile attempt to block out the sound. His veins bulged, and he collapsed to the ground, a horrifying sensation of writhing liquid invading his ear canals.
Gritting his teeth and grimacing in pain, Sucura managed a low guttural growl, "Grrrggh…"
Through the haze of torment, he caught a glimpse of the screen in his peripheral vision.
[◼️◼️l◼️◼️◼️◼️s]
◼️n◼️h◼️◼️◼️◼️e◼️ (¿?¿)
I◼️◼️o◼️◼️◼️ce (¿?¿)
Co◼️p◼️◼️◼️◼️l D◼️◼️◼️n◼️◼️◼️o◼️ (Sy◼️t◼️e◼️◼️◼️◼️: 4%)
As the garbled letters on the screen began to decrypt and then vanish, Sucura desperately wanted to scream, but found himself unable to make a sound. He longed to move, to escape the torment, but his body was paralyzed, held captive by the relentless, torturous sensation.
Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain ceased. Sucura found himself able to move once more, his body slick with sweat and his forehead drenched.
He panted heavily, trying to catch his breath. "What was that?" he wondered aloud, his voice slightly trembled.
As he stood up, he examined his hands, relieved to find no trace of blood. "Why do I feel like something's wrong with my body?" he muttered, attempting to dismiss the lingering unease. "It must be due to exhaustion. I shouldn't dwell on it. Yup, I shouldn't think about it any further."
"I believe I require some fresh air," he mused. Proceeding to the bathroom, he meticulously cleansed himself of the perspiration and grime that clung to his skin. Once he was immaculately dressed, he ventured outdoors.
***
Sucura found himself gracefully seated at the edge of a circular platform, cradling a guitar in his arms, as he became enveloped by the mesmerizing night sky.
Three celestial moons emerged from the inky darkness, casting their ethereal glow upon the heavens, while countless stars shimmered like precious jewels strewn across the boundless expanse.
The enchanting dance of white and greenish hues intertwined, painting a breathtaking tapestry of light above.
In the distance, the silhouettes of trees swayed gently, their branches and leaves caressed by the tender embrace of the nocturnal breeze.
As he tenderly caressed the strings, Sucura's voice emerged, rich and soulful, "I see trees of green ~ ♪... red roses too ~ ♪... for me and you ~ ♪ ... and I think to myself ~ ♪... -" when suddenly, a gentle voice interrupted him.
"Uhmm... May I join in, Sucura?" A woman with cascading, platinum hair inquired gently as she gracefully approached him.
Her alluring figure and pristine, angelic face were bathed in moonlight, and she was adorned in a delicate black nightgown that seemed to whisper with her every movement.
Sucura gazed at her with tenderness, a gentle, faint smile gracing his lips. "Of course, Nicolette. You are more than welcome to join me."
Nicolette seated herself beside him, maintaining a comfortable distance, and looked at him with an enchanting smile that seemed to light up the night.
As Sucura continued, his deep voice resonated with a calm emotion and passion that stirred the soul as he strummed the guitar once more, "And I think to myself ~ ♪... what a wonderful world ~ ♪..."
As the melody unfurled, Nicolette swayed gently to the melody, her hair dancing gracefully in the breeze.
She hummed softly, and the faint mana surrounding them produced a faint golden glow, as if the very air was enchanted by their presence.
As Sucura finished his song, Nicolette clapped her hands and complimented him, "That was truly beautiful singing, Sucura."
Sucura said with gratitude and a warm smile, "Thank you."
Curious, Nicolette asked, "Where did you learn that song?"
Sucura gazed at the night sky and reminisced, "In my beautiful homeland."
Nicolette lingered as she absorbed Sucura's words. A sudden shiver coursed through her, the chill of the night air biting at her skin.
Observing her discomfort, Sucura set his guitar aside and gracefully rose to his feet.
He removed his black cloak, the fabric whispering softly as he draped it tenderly over Nicolette's delicate shoulders, cocooning her in its comforting warmth.
As he returned to his seat and reclaimed his guitar, Nicolette's ears flushed a deep, passionate crimson. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Sucura smiled warmly and suggested, "How about we both sing?"
Nicolette's shoulders drooped, uncertainty clouding her eyes. "But I don't know the song, and I'm afraid I might make a mistake and disrupt the melody with my voice."
Sucura gazed at her reassuringly, "Don't worry, Nicolette. You possess a truly captivating voice, and they say singing is an expression of the soul. Just let your mind wander and immerse yourself in the melody."
Nicolette's heart raced, each beat resonating loudly as time seemed to slow. The mild fragrance of the cloak enveloped her, its warmth seeping into her very core.
He added, "Just follow my lead," as he began to strum the strings softly, weaving a melody that melted the very air around them. "Wise men say ~ ♪... only fools rush in ~ ♪... Oh, but I can't help falling in love with you ~ ♪..." Sucura's tender gaze beckoned her to join him.
Nicolette hesitated, her ears still flushed with crimson, before gathering her courage and lending her siren like voice to the song. "We dance in the night ~ ♪... our hearts take flight ~ ♪... in this enchanting dance ~ ♪... our love affair ~ ♪..."
Sucura continued to strum the strings, his fingers dancing gracefully as Nicolette's heartfelt emotions poured forth in song. Soon, their voices intertwined, harmonizing in a symphony of passion.
The golden glow of mana surrounding them seemed to sway to their melody, transforming into ethereal fairies that danced around them, their luminescent forms casting a spellbinding aura.
Lost in the enchantment of their duet, Nicolette and Sucura surrendered themselves to the song, their souls entwined in the magic of the moment.